Donald Charles Luebke

Donald Luebke, age 88, passed away peacefully at his West Bend home during the early morning hours of Friday, April 10th surrounded by family.

Donald was born on September 10, 1931, in Shorewood, Wisconsin to Ruth and Charles Luebke. He was an educator with Milwaukee Public Schools for 40 years. Donald was also a butcher at Hank and Charlie’s Meat Market. He loved retirement, traveling, tennis, golfing, and playing cards. He was preceded in death by his mother Ruth (Behling); Father Charles Luebke, and his brother Charles Jr. (Patricia).

He is survived by his very devoted wife Suzanne Lundin (née Trottier); Mark (Glenda); Matt (Pam); Cheryl Geske (Scot); Michael (Jill), and stepson Bill (Barbie) Lundin. He was Grandpa Don to eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren as well as a very special cousin to Norine Kerecman.

He spent his career in the Milwaukee Public Schools, serving the last 18 years as principal of Steuben Middle School. He earned his advanced degree at the University of Wisconsin Madison and developed the middle school plan for the Milwaukee Public Schools. His achievement of turning around Steuben Middle School, making it one of the most outstanding schools in the system, was recognized by the superintendent and documented in the local press (Bill Janz in the Milwaukee Sentinel: Retiring Steuben principal leaves to applause). He dedicated himself to the parents, teachers, and students in his school. One teacher noted that there may not be enough Kleenex to go around when he retired.

Outside of work, Donald was an avid tennis player. He remained part of the tennis group for many years until he no longer could play. He then took up golf and was a member of a sheepshead group that met monthly for over 60 years. After retirement, he traveled the world and spent winters in Arizona and summers in Wisconsin. He was happiest when he was at the lake with all his children and grandchildren and family beside him. This became a tradition throughout the summer. He made many friends in Arizona playing cards, dancing, attending concerts and performances, with a very full calendar. He was also happy to come back to Wisconsin to regroup with his friends and meet them at the golf course.

Donald led a full and happy life.  He always had a positive attitude and a great deal of love in his heart. Due to the circumstances from the COVID-19 virus, internment will be private for the family only at Wisconsin Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, if you would like, please make a donation in Donald’s memory to a charity that is important to you.

Please refer to these web sites for more information on Donald Luebke:

www.informedchoice.org

https://mattluebke.wixsite.com/donaldluebke